Linas Linkevičius: we are bringing from Washington the US assurance of the importance of its strategic partnership with Lithuania
On 24 February, while on an official visit in Washington, Linas Linkevičius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, had a meeting with Thomas Shannon, US Under Secretary of State; Robert Work, US Deputy Secretary of Defence; and Victoria Coates, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Strategic Assessments. The Minister also had a discussion with the experts of the think tank “The Heritage Foundation”.
“We have received today a clear message from the Department of State, Pentagon leaders and Assistant to the President about the consistent US support to Lithuania and further strengthening of strategic ties between Lithuania and the US,” Minister Linkevičius said.
Under Secretary of State Thomas Shannon noted the resolve of the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to continue enhancing friendly relations between the two countries.
Thomas Shannon underlined that America considered its ties with Lithuania to be very significant not only because of historical ties between the countries, but also because of the shared goals in strengthening security inside and outside Europe.
Minister Linkevičius stressed that the jointly felt responsibility for the security of Europe and the common aspiration to meet new threats to transatlantic security are pivotal in the strategic partnership between Lithuania and the USA.
“The West must maintain clear and consistent policy towards the Russian aggression against the Ukrainian people. The firm and united position of ours is of particular significance to the security of our own countries,” the Minister said.
At his meetings, Linas Linkevičius emphasised that Lithuania was committed to enhance its national defensive capabilities and resistance to hybrid threats and ready to participate together with the United States in the international coalition to counter terrorism and the ‘Islamic State’.
The US officials thanked Lithuania for meeting its commitments in enhancing defence capabilities and for its tangible contribution to the security of the region.
Among other matters discussed at the meetings were joint efforts in preparation for the upcoming important NATO summit and ministerial meetings and further strengthening of the North Atlantic Alliance, with the focus on the Allies’ unity and the significance of the transatlantic bond; information security was also among the issues discussed.
The Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius was on an official visit to the United States of America from the 20th to the 24th of February 2017. He took part in the Open Debate held by the United Nations Security Council and had bilateral meetings in New York and Washington.
Photos by the MFA and the US Department of Defence
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